Canucks: Three takeaways from 4-1 preseason loss to the Calgary Flames

#2 Brad Hunt looked good

Like Schenn, Brad Hunt was one of the defencemen signed in the offseason. Unlike Schenn, Hunt impressed for the most part.

There were still some mistakes but he was making smart and simple plays throughout the night. He was made smart pinches, disrupting the Flames rushes and passing lanes and made sure to get the puck out of the Canucks end as soon as possible.

The Maple Ridge native even tried to contribute to the offence with four shots on goal. That was second among Canucks defencemen in the game behind Tyler Myers.

Hunt even showed off this nice deke on Markstrom. Apparently he can shoot and has the hands too.

With the uncertainty of Hamonic’s situation, you would think Hunt made a strong case to crack the NHL roster. Even though he shoots left, he could also play the right side and he could potentially provide some help on that side.

#3 Thatcher Demko looked solid between the pipes

Demko got his first taste between the pipes for the first time since May and he didn’t look rusty despite giving three goals.

You can’t really criticize Demko on the goals he gave up, especially the first one. The defence in front of him could’ve helped him out but didn’t do a good job.

He did a good job on focusing on Andrew Magiapane here.

This play right here could sum up the night. After the Canucks fail to get it out, Demko makes a good save with the pad.

It was only a preseason game but Demko look like he captured the form that he had back in March before the COVID-19 outbreak.  He was making excellent saves with the glove and blocker all night and was tracking the puck well.

It would be a good recurring theme in the regular season for Demko to have nights where he looks solid and keeps the Canucks in games. It would not be a good recurring theme in the regular season if the Canucks keep on relying on him to bail out the poor defensive work.  It was only preseason but Demko got his work cut out for him.